Jessica: The Business School experience

Undoubtedly, one of the significant benefits of going to Monash University is the welcoming social environment. There are so many established programs that aim to welcome first-year students in particular, such as the BusEco Peer Mentor Program. The program consists of mentors, wise and experienced students, and mentees, new students entering university. My group, which consisted of three amazing mentors and around eight to ten mentees, met regularly every Thursday for an hour to discuss any issues, questions and general life ponderings we had.

Looking back, I really appreciated this initiative because not only were the mentees able to feel comfortable to talk about anything in an open environment, but we also developed strong bonds with each other. Whether it be complaining about group assignments or going on HSP runs together, we always had each other’s backs. As well as this, I learnt a lot about how university works, study tips, course advice and extracurricular activities. Our mentors (shout out to Ronnie, Carmen and Gupreet!) definitely facilitated our transition into university life, and guided us through any problems or dilemmas we had, which definitely enhanced my personal university experience.

It’s been a week since the official closing ceremony for the BusEco Peer Mentor Program. The ceremony included an afternoon tea with scones and tea, as well as a heart-warming speech from Alison Richardson, the coordinator of the Program. While it’s quite sad to see the program end, I know for sure that the bonds we made will last for years. As the “Ancora Imparo” motto says, “I am always learning” and the BusEco Program will irrefutably contribute to every mentee’s learning experience.